My friend from another band asked me to clone the Sadowsky.  My first thought was, "what's a Sadowsky?"

No schematics on the internet made it a little more complicated.  Then, all the gut shots of the circuit board had a black paint covering all the parts.  After about a days worth of research, there were enough clues to put together a copy.

I used Fry's parts to put together a prototype, but the transistors that I found there were a little too hot for my perfectionist tastes.  I ordered a more ideal FET from Mammoth Electronics and when they got here I plugged them in and it made all the difference.


The Sadowsky lacked one thing that my friend wanted...a mid control.  He had once owned a Sadowsky and he felt like he needed it in there.  It wasn't hard to include, and I have to say, it's nice to not be forced into maxed out mid levels.  He also didn't need the DI part, which would have upped the price tag for the build.

While he enjoyed the use of my prototype, I went to work on a layout.  Pretty simple circuit, pretty simple board.  I can fit 3 on a 3x5 clad board.

 I went with Superman colors for the box and knobs.  I've always liked the look of the old squeeze labels, so I slapped them on and there it is.  My very own Ramonsky!  You can't see it in the pic, but the LED is green. 

I tried this one out myself when I went to bias my other friend's tube amp today.  Very nice.  With the bass and treb all the way down, it is pretty much a flat eq with the mids controlling the level.  Maybe a little more bottom than flat, but close.  The bass is cut/boost at 40hz, and the treb is cut/boost at 4Khz, just like the Sadowsky and Aguilar. 
I guess if I wanted to start off exactly like the others, my mid control would have to stay maxed out all the time.  When I get my bass guitar back, I'll record some sound clips. 

I can't afford the Sadowsky or Aguilar, but I can afford to build one.  That is also why I frequent the pawn shops.  I am proud of mine, but not as proud as they are, apparently.  They did however, inspire me, so here is a plug:
https://secure.sadowsky.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=62&osCsid=3b4a38c1a6fd19e7c577b170f38af0ad

Custom PCBs!

This is the board from my Sadowsky clone(mine has a mid control).  I can clone the preamp Bassman Blackface, Blonde, or Brownface with this same board and different components. 

Fender Concert II Tube Amp

$179 at Cash America on Lamar just south of 183.  There is one on ebay right now for $949 buy it now price +$99 for shipping in the US. Ouch!  1x12 60 watts, great shape with the footswitch.  Tell them the Austin  Pawn Scum sent you in to look at this amp!

I snapped a pic of the price tag in the corner.  It says Kustom?  It was the only tag on it and there were no Kustoms around.

The amp that saved Fender in the 80s.  Designed by Paul Rivera.  I checked out the schematics and the tone stack is pretty standard for Fender, identical to the Bassman.    Here is a demo.  It speaks for itself.